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Monday, February 18, 2008

It appears that the senior senator from MO is at odds with the Bush Administration on an additional 9 million in funding for MOSMART. My question would have to be since when is it the federal governments responsibility to fight meth production in Missouri. This is the same thinking which has given us a 9 trillion dollar debt

BOND ANNOUNCES FEDERAL FUNDS TO FIGHT METH

Senator Highlights MOSMART & Meets with Local Law Enforcement

February 1, 2008

HANNIBAL, MO – U.S. Senator Kit Bond today joined the Northeast Missouri Narcotics Task force to meet with local law enforcement and announce new federal funds to help in the fight against the state’s methamphetamine epidemic.

“MOSMART is key to getting rid of meth in Missouri,” said Bond. “If MOSMART goes away, that’s an invitation to drug dealers that says that Missouri is open for business. We must fully fund programs like MOSMART so that we can continue to put drug dealers and drug manufacturers out of business.”

Bond emphasized that the NEMO Task Force and law enforcement across the state are on the front lines in Missouri’s fight against meth. In recent years Missouri has developed the distinction of being called the “meth capital” of the United States. Bond secured funds to start Missouri Sheriff’s Methamphetamine Relief Team (MOSMART) in 2000 to help law enforcement combat meth in Missouri.

Bond recently secured $1.175 million in federal funds for MOSMART in the fiscal year 2008 omnibus spending bill. Since it was started, MOSMART has successfully coordinated efforts with regional drug task forces and sheriff departments throughout the state. From 2001 to 2007, MOSMART has seized 12,429 meth labs, and arrested 27,941 suspects for attempted manufacturing, distribution or possession of meth.

Despite MOSMART’s success, the state’s meth problem is not solved, stressed Bond. According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, there were still 1,200 meth lab incidents in Missouri in 2007. Despite the need for federal dollars, funding for drug task forces is under assault. Last year, against Bond’s objections, the Administration proposed eliminating the federal Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program, which funds programs like MOSMART. More than 80 Missouri county and city grant recipients faced a loss of nearly $9 million in local law enforcement assistance for anti-drug, anti-gang and anti-violent offender programs. While the Senate tried to fight this cut, the funding in the Congressional omnibus spending bill reduced the program funding by two-thirds or nearly $500 million.

Bond praised Governor Blunt for leading the effort at the state-level to provide $1.9 million in state funds for MOSMART. While funding at the state-level is important, Congress needs to do more, said Bond. Earlier this week, Bond joined a bipartisan group of Senators to lead the effort to restore nearly $500 million to the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program. Bond told law enforcement that he will push Congress to work through the budget and appropriations process to restore funding for these programs.

“Crime and drugs are problems that are national in scope,” said Bond. “This is a deep-rooted problem in our state and it will take all of us working together to rid Missouri of this menace.”